Jury Says Duran Entitled To Belts

After almost a decade without his championship belts, Latin American boxing legend Roberto Duran could soon have them back. A federal jury Tuesday sided with him in a dispute with a Miami businessman.

Duran said the five belts were stolen in 1993 during a break-in staged by his estranged brother-in-law at Duran's home in Panama City, Panama.

Antiques dealer Luis Gonzalez Baez ended up with the belts but said he had acquired them legally, acting as an agent for the person who originally bought the belts from Duran and later buying the belts himself from the third party.

After a weeklong trial, the six-person jury took just a few hours to determine Duran was entitled to the belts. Duran testified, then returned to his native Panama. Family members were on hand for the verdict.

"I am happy, content," said Duran's wife, Felicidad. She is the sister of Bolivar Iglesias, who the Durans say stole the belts. "We always had faith in the American justice system. We always had hope."

If Gonzalez Baez does not appeal within 30 days, the belts return to Duran.

"The truth will come eventually," Gonzalez Baez said. His attorney said no decision had been made on an appeal.

Duran, the first to win world titles in four weight classes, has been fighting for the belts for about nine years.

In 1995, the FBI arrested Gonzalez Baez after he sold the belts in New York to someone working with the FBI. Duran had also filed charges against Gonzalez Baez in Panama.

The U.S. government decided not to prosecute Gonzalez Baez, however, but had possession of the belts and asked that ownership be determined in court. The case was moved from New York to Miami at the request of Duran and Gonzalez Baez.

Gonzalez Baez maintained the Durans consented to the original sale of the belts because they were financially strapped. They also sold other items, he said.

Duran, 51, was dominant in boxing in the 1970s and 1980s. Months after a victory against Sugar Ray Leonard in a welterweight championship in 1980, Duran had his most famous defeat in the rematch when he said "No mas" and quit in the eighth round.

Duran retired with a 103-16 record.

Information from The Associated Press was used to supplement this report.